Thursday, 30 December 2010

First off, Let me wish you all a happy new year from The Soul Mixtape.

Now on to buisiness. 2010 was a better year for music than 2009 and 2008 combined in my opinion. Last year was a disaster, but this year we had some great music, and as you'll see in my list there were quite a few "almost made it's".

So here are my list of the best LP's of the year, in no particualr order save for the No.1 spot.

10.JD73 - Pure Gold

On Joey Negros Z Label, this years "Sunburst Band" equivilent LP. 80's collide with soulful house grooves on tracks like "Fantasy","Baby Be mine" and "Step by Step", great mid tempo grooves like "Round and Round", excellent covers like "Pure Gold/Love will save the day"...I could go on. Just the most Fun LP of the year, like the Sunburst band's previous efforts, it looks back before moving forward. Candy for the ears!!

Not really LP's in thier own right, but good enough that they had to be included, so I let them share a spot as a compromise! Erik and Marc fit like a hand in glove with thier organic, soulful EP. By now, you must all be aware of "Destiny", so nuff said about that. Equally as good is "I need your Love" like a wicked tune from Blaze, the latin tinged "Something I know" and the soulful "Just Love" that rides on a bossa nova beat. As for Slakah, you must know about him, he was our No.1 last year! Cant get "Something Forever" off my playlist and "Living for the Rush" is like a missing tune from "The Soul Movement Vol.1", as is "Boogie". Two great EP's to add to your collections.

8.Adriana Evans - Walking in the night

The year started with this LP, and I immediately proclaimed it the deserved follow up to Adriana's classic debut from the 90's. A regarded friend of mine wasnt so enamoured, which I felt was strange, as tracks like "Suddenly" were as good (And could have been lifted from) the debut. I still feel thats the case with tunes like "Midnight", "Love me on the One" and "El Sol" although I do accept theres a more 60's bent on some of the tunes. Dont let that stop you though, as this is a great LP!!

Dorian Wright, a Brit may I add, clearly agrees. From the play on words title of the LP, this is more homage than pastiche. Marvellous Stevie-alike tunes like "Say I do" and "What was once" run the spectrum of classic 70's Stevie, and whilst Dorian cannot match vocally, Ill take an LP of this quality, love and effort over, lets say, the lazy new offerings from R.Kelly's first LP of the year or Donnell Jones' effort anyday. Fave tune? Hard to say, but feeling "Perfect World" at the mo, but thats ever changing!

6.The Roots - How I got Over

Oh lord, how I wish "A Piece of Light" was a fully fledged epic it should be. Like Charles Stepney and Rotary connection had returned, its the great start to the best Hip Hop LP of the year. Has a left field acoustic feel, timing kept by Questloves great drums, with guests the calibre of Phonte. "Radio Daze" dazzles, loving "Walk Alone" and "Doing it again".....and "The day"....cant stop namechecking. Real Hip Hop. You know what I'm talking about.

5.Faith Evans - Something About Faith

Back in the 90's, when there was the "Mary J or Faith?" conversation, I was always on the Faith side. Mary won the commercial battle, and dont get me wrong I dig her, but Faith has the voice. Love the tone, whereas I always felt that Mary was more "off key".

This is on the list, like last years Ryan Leslie LP, because its the best R&B lp thats come out this year. "Way you move" is the best pop/R&B tune of the year no doubt, but there are great tunes like "Still", the mid tempo funky "Worth it", "Everyday Struggles" 70's sampled feel, and the return of Mike City production on the dancer "Sunshine". If your looking for something a little more commercial, this is the LP. And "Your Lover" is the shit!

4.Erykah Badu - New Amerykah Part 2

You all got this one right? Its Badu FFS. "Window Seat's" on here.

Jay Dee, Questlove, James Poyser all present. Just buy it if you aint got it already!

3.Foreign Exchange - Authenticity

Continuing on from "Leave it all behind", and more like that LP than "Connected", Authenticity continues that soulful Foreign Exchange sound with Nicolay providing the lush production and Phonte singing up a storm. FE crew like Yazarah, Zo! and Darien Brockington all present, as is the great songwriting, which whilst not as immediate as previous outings, are real growers. Fave tunes? Probable next single "Dont Wait", "Maybe she'll Dream...", and the classic FE sounding "Fight for Love". Great LP.

2.Aloe Blacc - Good Things

Probably as good as my no.1 pick of the year, the great Aloe Blacc and an LP from the 70's, made today. Totally organic, socially concious, and musically expert from the tight band to Aloe's great vocals. Youve probably heard "I need a dollar", but just as good are the great, soulful "You make me smile", the tight and funky "Good Things" with its sly stone feel, the beautiful "Femme Fetale" and my tune of the year..."Green Lights". Really, its that good. If you love 70's soul music, you need this like air.

1.Zo! - Sunstorm

For me, everything the Foreign Exchange crew touch is gold. Zo!, being one of the crew, belted out this LP where there aint 1 duff tune. Old school 2 stepper styled "Greatest Weapon of all time"...the great FE sounding "Sunstorm"...."Greater than the sun" rocks on strings and keys like a summers day, almost an FE track IMO.....and my close second for tune of the year, the Donald Byrd/Mizell alike "Flight of the blackbird". Whos on this? Yazarah - Phonte - Jesse Boykins III - Eric Roberson - Sy Smith - Lady Alma - Darien Brockington.

Styles mixed, just like last years winner of this title by Slakah the Beatchild, quality so good it dosent bore on repeated listens....it truly deserves your cash and the title of best LP of 2010. Invest.

Almosts

LATE ENTRY'S

***** Reggie B & Miles Bonny******
*****Frank McComb*****

If I would have got these earlier, they may have been on my list. Great Soulful LP's....BUY THEM!!! Also in the worth buying list.....

Monday, 27 December 2010

So, before we countdown the best LP's of the year at the end of the week, here is a list of the best individual tracks of the year IMO.

Some of the artists will re-appear in the best LP category, but this list is my choice of tunes. Dont agree? Let me know in the comments! Maybe Ive forgotten something! A lot of these tunes feature in some part on my "Street Sounds Soul Sessions" mixes, so check them out there or iTunes/Amazon etc etc

Click on the picture to see a larger version of it, or alternatively, save it to your PC for leisurely perusal.

Got to mention the passing of Lady Tee today, Teena Marie was one of the first artists that got me into this music, so a sad day for soul music.......maybe she'll jam with Rick James this New Years up in Heaven's best funk emporium.

The mix includes Ronnie Mcnier, Collins and Collins, Gene Harris and much more.

See you in the New Year"

As for me, my mix is one hours worth of unreleased material, rare remixes, and hard to find tracks by the likes of Raphael Saadiq, Earth, Wind & Fire Feat. Musiq, 4Hero, Jamiroquai, Common, and many more. Look at the tracklists and marvel.......its our Xmas present to you lot!

Have a great Xmas (or whatever holiday your celebrating) and a happy new year to you and yours from the Soul Mixtape.

Monday, 20 December 2010

Volume 1 had a good reaction so time to put out part 2. Packed full of classic soul and jazz funk tunes delivered live by the original artists. The mix features Maze, The SOS Band, The Jones Girls and an acoustic Randy Crawford amongst others.

I'll be back along with Mr SoulNRnB at the end of the week with a Xmas double bubble post which will be a treat for all you lovers of those real hard to find grooves! My next solo mix will be posted in the new year so make sure you all have a good Holiday!

Thursday, 16 December 2010

After Grizz's excellent Soulful Xmas mix, heres something special for Xmas with some upfront tunes including Jazzy Jeffs new tune specially produced for the holidays, "Xmas Time" featuring Ayah. Also included - Brand new Eric Roberson and Choklate, Marsha Ambrosius, Bilal, Jessie Boykins III, Syleena Johnson, Carmen Rogers, Deborah Jordan......goddam, just get this.

Perfect as an accompaniment to any holday occassion!!

Big post for Xmas next week. Both Grizz and I have produced mixes with music SO RARE.....hell, youll see. Dont miss it, its one of our biggest posts of the year! After that, itll be my yearly LP's of the year and Singles of the year, so stay tuned.

Off to try and shake this cold I have in time for my birthday next week, snow in the UK wont help, but ill be back in time for that special post from us!!!

Monday, 13 December 2010

In same spirit that some music afficiandos try to stop the XFactor manufactured tune getting to the Xmas No.1 spot I try to save all Soul lovers from listening to the usual dirge of tunes they wheel at this time of year.

Heres my 2010 offering of quality 60's and 70's Soul with a seasonal flavour. Honey and the Bees, Donny Hathaway and The Salsoul Orch. all feature. Perfect for carving the turkey and boiling sprouts to.

SoulNRnB starts his 2010 specials this week and I'll catch you next week.

Thursday, 9 December 2010

Im gonna do a few of these, but out of them all this is probably the year I remember most fondly musically. As a young man I couldn't afford to buy the latest 12" (I would have to save 3 weeks for one!) so would record my tunes off the radio from shows hosted by the likes of Robbie Vincent, Greg Edwards, the original Kiss FM and other Pirate Radio stations. I would covet those TDK, Memorex and Denon cassette's let me tell you.

Sometimes I wouldn't even know the name of the song or the artist (As the DJ wouldnt mention those un-important things at times) and finding out in the days before the internet was a task. Music discussions with a fellow soul music fan was always the remedy, and an escape from New Romantics, Cross dressing pop bands, and blokes with shuttlecocks down thier pants.

This mix is like one of my long lost cassettes found at the back of a drawer. Although we've heard some of the tunes a very many times, to me they remind me of those early years discovering soul music for the first time......

Next up - First of my Xmas specials. They are absolutely on fire, and the one im gonna post Xmas week is one of my favourite selections Ive done since contributing to the blog! Grizz has got some Xmas niceness coming up to so stay with us over the holidays!

Monday, 6 December 2010

Back to the future for me once again as the new funk bands get a mix to themselves once more. As I've said these guys can all play a bit and 3 or 4 of the bands have gigged in the capital over the years so worth catching if you can.

The mix features the Mehan Street Band, vocalist Alice Russell going solo, The Budos Band and a corking retro tune from the Baker Brothers who employed Average White Band singer- Hamish Stuart to do the vocals so you know its gonna rock!!

Monday, 29 November 2010

As I said last week (and SoulNRnB mentioned on the pulpit) heres 60's Soul Vol 7. Two of my 60's mixes have been previously deleted for unknown reasons so make sure you get your download in before 'the man' or some over protective Northern collector gets it taken down! :) !

Choc fulla goodies including early tracks from Johnny Watson (before he added the 'Guitar'), LJ Reynolds and Harold Melvin. Also original soul versions from Jean Dushon and The Royalettes and ending with a deep soul treasure from Soloman Burke who passed away a few weeks back.

SoulNRnB up in a few days and I'm back in a week to share the Soul Love!

Friday, 26 November 2010

Whilst some in the House Fraternity have kept that Jazz-Funk feel going, there are bands and artists out there keeping that organic, soulful jazz-funk sound alive. Whilst groups like Jamiroquai have succumbed to the mainstream (Although there is one tune on their new LP called "Two Completely Different Things" which is a return to form), others have been carrying the torch.

The Rebirth produced one of the best LP's of the last decade (See our post from last year, Top 10 LP's of the Noughties), but it seems they have sadly split. Their last single, "Love Issue", was classic Rebirth and is included on this mix.

Elsewhere, you have a track from Dreemtimes LP from this year, the excellent Dira/Omar track from her great Bluey (Incognito) produced LP, and absolute class from Liquid Spirits and Heavy (A personal Fave).
Loving this stuff and hope you do to!

Grizz has been fighting the power with his 60's Soul mixes, "The man" keeps taking them down. They are all quality, and if the artists are reading this (Rather than some suit who only cares about the cash) then I hope you realise we are advertising your music to a new audience. People will buy your music, if available, once they are aware of it. And if its not available for purchase, we hope you find some comfort knowing that there are people out there enjoying your work! Sermon Over, 60's Soul 7 from Grizz next week (GET IT QUICK), speak soon!!

Monday, 22 November 2010

Christmas is on the horizon and with all the shopping, visiting and partying madness that goes with it. A good time I thought to take some chill time to yourself before the craziness starts, so here's Mellow Grooves 6.

Laid back soul & jazz tunes from the past abound including The Stylistics doing Baccarach, Marvin in a big band style, a wicked trippy jap jazz cover of a Weldon Irvine classic, Mystic Merlin and much more..... chilltastic.

Apologies for those who are still trying to download 60's Soul 6 but was deleted by the file host after an apparant complaint (someone doesn't like us sharing the nuggets). But are we disheartened? Hell no, so I'm posting 60's Soul 7 next week!!!!

Friday, 19 November 2010

I first came across these guys work through thier Hip hop productions for Snoop, Busta Rhymes, Jay-z and many more, but soon came to hear thier more soulful side.

They were discovered by Teddy Riley, whose studio was close to Pharrell's school and through working with Riley, Pharrell went on to write a verse for Wreckx-N-Effect's hit "Rump Shaker". The duo then went on to work heavily with Kelis, producing her first album Kaleidoscope and Usher's "You Don't Have to Call" as well as the host of big name Hip Hop tunes.

Over the coming years the guys have produced a host of influential tunes in various genres, as well as setting up group N*E*R*D. This mix concentrates on thier soul/rnb tunes, of which there are many quality tracks.

What makes thier inclusion in my producer picks a no-brainer is the fact they have thier own SOUND. You know a Neptunes production. Its the Neptunes sound. This mix includes rare and popular productions side by side, all with thier famous "Star Trak" sound, blinging all the way to the bank.

Grizz back next week with more quality. Weve got something real special up our sleeves for Xmas, so stay focused!!!

Monday, 15 November 2010

For your further listening pleasure more hot jazz funk/latin cuts from

years gone by for dancers and head nodders alike.

Features some kicking latin from Bobby Rodriquez and Eliana Pittman, some solid jazz interpretaions of Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Bob Marley and a wicked fast jazz dance cut from an early Patrice Rushen LP.

After a SoulNRnB musical weekend interlude I'm back in a mellow groove.

Friday, 12 November 2010

With winter well and truly on its way, its time to snuggle up with the one you love, so to set the tone its a slow jam special for the street sounds mixes.

Big names here with the return of Sunshine Anderson from her forthcoming LP, a tune from Conya Doss and her excellent LP thats been out for a moment, Chrisette Michelle's new single "Im a Star", and big tunes from Foreign Exchange, Ne-Yo and Charlie Wilson.

New artists are again represented with my fave from Avery Storm and a track called "Father Time".

Enjoy. Grizz Back to dig out some nuggets for you. That sounds wrong, but you know what I mean.

Tuesday, 9 November 2010

Today sees the return of the 'live music' mix bringing back memories of venues like the Hammersmith Odeon, Jazz Cafe (Camden), Wembly Arena, The Forum (Kentish Town), The Rainbow (Finsbury Park), Ronnie Scotts (West End), Docklands Arena and my 1st ever gig 30 years ago at the Dunstable California Suite no less with reggae band - Third World!!???

Ten classic 70's and 80's soul/jazz tunes by the original artists but done live in concert. All the top names are there including AWB, Chaka, Curtis, Herbie and many more. So recreate that concert mood by pouring yourself some watered down lager in a plastic glass, stand behind someone wearing a big hat, crank up the volume and sing along until you're hoarse. Don't forget to then pretend to queue up for ages in the cold to catch the last train home with your ears still ringing ..... those were the days!

Friday, 5 November 2010

Its time to take a trip back through the time tunnel to 1978 and relive the music from that era!

More of a collage of sounds than a straight ahead mix, this is meant to take you back to a time when Soul Music had important lyrics and opinions (Gil Scott Heron), the Jacksons partnered up with Gamble and Huff, Disco was the house music of its time, and George Benson, the Commodores and Bobby Caldwell made you feel like the music meant something to them more than a paycheck.

These Time Machine mixes are not compiled for a dance, rather to take you back to an era you may remember or want to experience musically!!

Hope you like, Grizz back next week with a live mix Im looking forward to hearing!

Monday, 1 November 2010

Slightly earlier than anticipated- the latest installment of the Lovers Rock mix featuring tunes from Vivian Jones, Paulette Walker and The Investigators.

However the main reason I've brought this post forward a week or 2 is so I can include a track by the 'cool ruler' himself who passed away last week. An 'adopted' Londoner, Gregory Issacs was considered by many to be one of the originators of the Lovers Rock sound. We raise a glass here at 'The Soul Mixtape'!

Next week I'm reviving a SoulNRnB format with an old school Soul/Jazz live mix! Mr SoulNRnB himself will be with you at the weekend.

Friday, 29 October 2010

First up, a big thank you to all that sent in Jingles/Shout outs - Much appreciated! Soulrific - AvenueQ - and the great Missjo90....youll all hear the jingles in future mixes!! Winner was DougFresh who gets that special comp!! His Jingle will feature on my Top 10 LP's of 2010 mix coming at the end of the year!!

But for now, one of my Soulful House comp's that I dig so much. Not done one of these for a while, so if your up for that latin/jazz-funk/soul vibe set to a dance rhythm, strap yourself in!

DJ Jori sets things off with that latin vibe, Reel People - Tortured Soul and Ralf Gum all bring the SOUL. Add Stephanie Mills (Yes, that Stephanie Mills!) and Sterling Ensemble into this and you got some blissed out sounds to party to this Halloween!!

Tracklist in comments, Grizz back with you soon. Who says we dont cover all aspects of black music????? As long as its soulful!!!!!!!!!!!

Monday, 25 October 2010

Happy Halloween to all those that celebrate it! Nothing scary about this mix though just top quality rare grooves n soul from the 70's n 80's.

Choc full of goodies to keep you groovin now the nights are drawing in. Tracks include an alternate take of the Micheal Orr rare groove classic, crackin' versions from The Marriots, Dorothy Moore and The Majors and a cool track from the artist Sting- that the 70's US 'brother' Sting not the Geordie rocker, tantric sex expert!

Monday, 18 October 2010

As Mr SoulNRnB said, another DiscoSoul Tag Team special- heres Vol.4 and my answer to Fridays mix. Another belter for those of you who appreciate their soul with a disco/boogie tune tinge.

Artists featured include Willie Tee, Esther Phillips and an instrumental take on an O'Jays club classic by the Armarda Orchestra (you just knew if you picked up a 12''and the band had the words 'Orchestra' in its name it was gonna be a disco/boogie cut!)

Friday, 15 October 2010

So, Grizz fancied having another Face/off with the old Disco Soul mixes, so let the battle begin! ;)

Some corking soulful disco sounds here from Booby Broom, the great Grover Washington JR, Another Bobby (This time its Thurston) and one of my secret faves from a group called players with a groove about thier fave sports team the Bengals....sounds Cheesy, but check it out!!!

Monday, 11 October 2010

Someone told me it was 80's week on Facebook so I thought I'd better carry on the theme and post volume 8 of the Soulful 80's series.

Ten more tunes from my 80's boxes including Skyy, Berres Hammond (who'll be familier to reggae fans but put out some Soul tunes in the 1980's), Woods Empire and finally one from Dr York for all you who recall the 80's roller disco craze (its making a comeback I hear!!).

See you all in a weeks time although SoulNRnB will be popping in at the end of the week.

Friday, 8 October 2010

Been Spoiling you of late, but as Grizz said on the mellow post, its tough days for people at the moment so lets forget the day to day grind and enjoy some good music. The last of my double Street Sounds Posts, although theres lots more of them to come and future editions feature the like of Sunshine Anderson, Erik Rico and Marc Mac, Dave Hollister and more....

Edition 25 has my favourite cut from Calvin Richardsons excellent "Womack-a-like" new LP, A new tune from Donell Jones, one of my new artist picks from Teresa Janee, and a great Hip Hop tune from Andree 3000 (Dont be put of soul lovers!)

Edition 26 has a great tune from the up and coming Amanda Diva, and other fresh artists like Vaughn Anthony, Yvette Rovira and Coultrain. All topped off with the O.G. Mr Ronald Isley.

I hope your still digging these mixes and hope they are keeping you up to date with whats out there. Comments have slackened off, so let us know whats up, good or bad, and big thanks to those that have sent jingles/shout out in to us.

Monday, 4 October 2010

The start of another week and lots of gloom about with cuts and job losses being threatened. But hey.... lifes good at the end of the day! Sometimes you just need to chill and take the time to smell the roses!

Here my own small contribution to kicking back and chilling out- Mellow Groove 5. Plenty of good old laid back Soul n Jazz to ease you through your week including The Impressions, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Champaign and a blue-eyed soul cover from Kiki Dee - the 1st Brit woman to sign to Motown in the late 60's.

SoulNRnB up next and we've got lots more planned for the weeks to come including another double DiscoSoul special.

Friday, 1 October 2010

First up......a bit of a competition!! I thought it might be good getting some Jingles/shout out's for the site for use on upcoming mixes. Was gonna do some myself, but thought there would be loads of you out there that could do a better job!!

So, anybody that can create a jingle/shout out for the blog in mp3/wav format and send it to thesoulmixtape@aol.com can be in with a chance of winning a very special compilation of their own, specifically designed for them according to their soulful preferences! And, on top of that, they will hear their jingle on forthcoming mixes!

Top jingle will win the prize, top 3 jingles will be showcased on mixes. Closing date - November 1st, winners will be announced thereafter.

Anyhow, back to this weeks mix, and were going back to the late 70's early 80's for a great soulful boogie mix.

Some great tunes from Jimmy & Vella Cameron, Eighties Ladies, Mystic Merlin and more for you to practice your 2 steps on.

Monday, 27 September 2010

For all you 60's fans, another collection of often harder to find Soul goodies now. Mix includes Gloria (Towanda) Barnes who also had 70's rare groove success, Deon Jackson with, in my opinion, the definitive version of an oft covered song and kicking off with our cover girl- Brenda Holloway, who's still going strong, belting out the tunes and looking good in her sixties.

Friday, 24 September 2010

Were still giving you the best in upfront sounds here on the Soul Mixtape.

Lauryn Hill. What can I say. There's been loads of bootlegs around of "unreleased" tracks from her since the mighty "The miseducation of....." but nothing official. Thats not to say this track thats floated around the net the last few weeks is official...but its damn good. Come back Ms. Hill!!!!

Conya Doss. New LP coming soon, and were previewing a top tune from it.

Add to that, Brit blue eyed soulboy Kenny Thomas, a retro sounding tune from Taj Jackson and some more great little known talent and you have another Street Sounds Mix to get you up to date.

Tracklist in the usual place, as will Grizz next week with some more of the 60's for you all!!

Tuesday, 21 September 2010

I'm a man of my word and as promised, one for all you 'winder n grinders'- Lovers Rock Vol.9. The usual quality mix of rare 70's and 80's tunes with the likes of Sister Love, Dee Sharp and The Sensations.

Hope you like the sites 3rd revamp -we like a spring clean now and again. Any complaints please put in writing to our complaints dept. where they'll be filed appropriately (at the bottom of SoulNRnB's Parrot cage).

Thursday, 16 September 2010

For the past 6 months our header has been of a man crate digging for rarities in some vinyl emporium. On the day that we change the look of the blog and remove that header, it only seems fitting to have a look at that man, the late J Dilla.

Dilla became famous as producer/member of the hip hop group Slum Village and producer for A tribe called Quest. He produced what I believe to be the best Hip Hop LP of all time, Fantastic Volume 2.

As with all the producers weve visited in these mixes, the man created a trademark "boom bap" sound that changed the way Hip hop would sound over the next few years.

As for soul music, Jay Dee hooked up with the Soulquarians. The collective formed during the late 1990s, continuing into the early 2000s, and produced several well-received albums including The Roots' Things Fall Apart (1999), D'Angelo's Voodoo (2000), Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun (2000), and Common's Like Water for Chocolate (2000).

The founding members of the collective — Ahmir Thompson a.k.a. Questlove from The Roots, D'Angelo, James Poyser, and J Dilla came together after discovering they had a common interest for the unconventional — offbeat rhythms, irregular chords, and other traits often exhibited by the underground urban music scene.

Being a collective, they included a rotating list of members, including Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Q-Tip, Erykah Badu, Bilal, and Raphael Saadiq.

In an interview, Common discussed the production of those albums, stating "It was one of those time period that you don't even realize when you're going through it that it's powerful".

Just as his music was becoming increasingly popular, Dilla died in 2006 of the blood disease TTP. Following his death, the hip hop community became centered upon his music and image. Many of the artists with whom Dilla worked performed or recorded tributes, and a large group of followers voiced their support for the late musician. Dilla's music experienced a rebirth as the producer gained many times more listeners than he had during his life.

He became a legend, but was always a great producer. This mix encompases all the styles he worked in, wether hip hop, Soul or Jazz.

Grizz back next week with some Lovers for you all, meanwhile tracklist in comments.

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

Back for another dose of quality rare soul from the 70's and 80's. Packed full of goodies from the likes of Jeffree, The Sylvers, Lakeside in a rare groove vibe, a lesser played but top notch cut from Slave off the Concept album and a jazzy stonker from German songstress (and its not often you can say that!) Monika Linges.

SoulnRnB has been spoiling you with his fresh as a daisy double bubble mixes- he's back with a producer mix at the weekend. I'll return next week in a 'wind n grind' Lovers Rock mode.

Friday, 10 September 2010

A big thank you to those that have got in touch over these mixes, Jojo, Souldigga and all of those that have posted comments. Grizz and I appreciate them, so keep them coming, and this double posting goes out to you guys and gals.

Whats in these beauties?

New Eric Benet. Collabo/remix between Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Jesse Boykins, John Legend and the Roots collabo from thier forthcoming LP, Prince, and a great remix from Dezeray Dawn. There are also loads of new tracks from loads of new artists that really need a push so that they are heard, and I hope that these mixes do that.

More from Grizz next week, and Ill be back with my next featured producer, the man featured in the picture heading up this blog in fact!!

Monday, 6 September 2010

The mix features two tunes from Cookin' on 3 Burners, a soulful corker from Nicole Willis (that could've been a Northern Classic if released 40+ years ago!!) and arguably the originators of the retro funk movement- The Brand New Heavies, with the funkiest cut off their last LP.

I'll be back next week on a rare groove tip. Up at the weekend- Mr SoulNRnB.

Friday, 3 September 2010

Remixes first came on the scene in the 70's, showcasing extended breaks so that DJ's could mix the hottest disco tunes into one seamless dance marathon.This evolved through the 80's where remixes not only extended the breaks, but additional instrumentation was added to give a new flavour to the song.

By the 90's, Remixers became producers. Sometimes whole backing tracks were recorded with just the vocals from the original mix remaining. This has evolved through to the present day, where now producers sideline in remixes!

I thought Id do a series of mixes showcasing a few of my favourite remixes. This edition concentrates on the last 10 years (00's). The next edition will concentrate on the 80's with future editions highlighting other decades of note. I hope you hear a mix you havent heared before and check out the remixers other work. Remixers are highlighted in the tracklist next to their tune.

Grizz will be next week with some more goodness (Dingwalls in Camden early 90's was a place I remember staring agasp at some of the Jazz Dance going on in front of me BTW!).

Tuesday, 31 August 2010

I recall some 15 or so years ago going, on occasions, to the Blue Note club in Hoxton Square, Islington on a Sunday afternoon. Upstairs was the Sunday Soul Affair where you listened to rare soul, ate the Jerk Chicken from the kitchen, browsed the crates and generally jus' chilled with a beer or 2. Downstairs however a few DJs played some wicked, often furious, jazz funk and latin for almost exclusively dancers to practise. Now I weren't bad at my soul 2step but I was strictly a spectator when it came to them boys!

In the spirit of them jazz boys heres 'On a Jazz Tip Vol. 2' for all you revival jazz funk/fusion fans. Contributions from Donald Byrd, Doug Carn (Jean's ex), and both Charles Earland & Black Sugar lay down some solid interpretations of well loved tunes.

Friday, 27 August 2010

Its the last of the summer Bank Holiday weekends here in the UK, so heres a special post to help all those with a long weekend celebrate. And if you have work on Monday, hopefully this will be a little treat.

Two upfront mixes with some great new artists as well as those a little more well known.

SSS20 includes a great slow jam from Jarrard Anthony feat Eric Roberson and Darien, another great track from the new LP from Zo! (get that LP. Definately in my end of year top 10, absolutely great), new Jazmine Sullivan and some nice hip hop featuring Talib Kweli.

As for SS21, Im liking the remix of the Dream tune featuring R.Kelly, great tunes from Rhona Bennet and the great Eric Lau, but highlight for me here is the return of Cody ChesnuTT who produced a great organic Neo-Soul LP back in the noughties and looks like hes getting back into the limelight.

Enjoy your Bank Holiday if your off, otherwise enjoy these mixes and keep em peeled for the return of Grizz next week.

Monday, 23 August 2010

I'm posting on a Monday as am off to the West Ham game tomorrow night. That's despite our bad start to the new season - did someone order a portion of Deja Vu? :)

As we've been caning the rare groove side of things lately I'd thought I'd go back to the 60's for this one. Some corking old soul tunes on this offering including Smokey Robinson, Mary Wells, a Rhetta Hughes favorite and the man who came over to the UK from the US in the 60's and stayed- Geno Washington.

Sounds like SoulNRnB has got a 'special' up his sleeve this weekend- I'll see you next week in a 70's jazz mode.

Friday, 20 August 2010

Back in the day, at one of those Blues parties I ended up at on a Saturday night that lasted to early Sunday morning in some nameless tower block, there would always come that time when things would wind down.

The dance tunes played, the Reggae over, the rare groove/boogie tunes coming to an end and the slow tunes coming up. Time to find a girl to dance with quick, or stand in the corner nursing the last of the Tenants Super!!

This mix hopes to replicate that exact moment when the dancers slowed down to 2 step, then down to mellow grooves.......If you were there, you know what I'm on about!! If not, just enjoy!!

This one goes out to Rehab (Check the ladies blog out, very good) for her forthcoming birthday party!

Tracklist in comments.

Grizz back with you after his weekend away all refreshed, and Ill be back next week with not one, but TWO Street sounds comps for the long Bank Holiday (at least here in the UK!) weekend.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Back to the decade which began when I was still a teen and where my passion for Soul n Jazz bloomed! The early 80's- when I started going to Soul clubs in my tassled loafers and swopped spending my money on Kola Kubes and football stickers to 12'' imports from shops like Groove Records in Greek St, Soho, London (anyone else remember the music savy old lady who worked in there?).

Heres some more of the top tunes from that era in volume 7 of the Soulful 80's series. Artists include Brass Construction, Feel and a club classic from the 118 guy- Ray Parker Jnr.

I'm off to the Costa Del 'Norfolk' for a break (although alas there's not much sun in the UK at the moment). SoulNRnB up at the weekend and i'll see you guys next week!

Friday, 13 August 2010

One half of the masterful Masters at Work with partner Kenny Dope, Louie Vega helped shape the soulful house blueprint.From the mid Nineties until the present day, hes a prominent force on the house scene.

So why seperate him from Kenny when he too is an excellent producer, arranger and remixer?

Well, Its Louie's work away from MAW and Nu Yorican Soul that grabs me just as much. His remixing and production arranging work for other artists, his work with Elements of Life, the promotion of the latin sound (Thats obviously in his blood) that we just dont hear that often nowadays.

So this is a little showcase of Louie's talents, both with and without Kenny (Who may get his one of these too!).

Not only a great DJ (Check out his sets which blend old and new, as well as some of the best soulful house out there), but a great producer/arranger/writer. He deserves his place on my list!

Sunday, 8 August 2010

More 70's & 80's rare groove goodies for you this time! Now I'm told by the youngsters that 2 step refers to a genre of garage music (!!??) but back in my day 2 step was another term for those slower or mid tempo rare groove tunes that you 'slow-grooved' to at your typical blues or house party.

This mix features some of them popular '2step' tracks from back in the day. Artists include The Commodores, Atlantic Starr and the Carrie Lucas version of the often covered- Hello Stranger.

Friday, 6 August 2010

I said these mixes would come thick and fast and they will!! Hope they are keeping you all up to date with whats new.

Neo soul lovers should know about Aloe Blacc who has an excellent new LP out, evoking the sounds of the 70's, and this mix kicks off with one of his tunes. A new tune from Marsha Ambrosius and a corker from Joy Dennis with "He awaits", one of my faves of the year. Some nice R&B from Brandy, all topped off with a new tune (Not on his forthcoming LP) from Bilal. Im eagerly awaiting new music from this man!!

New edition of my "Greatest Producers" next week, but dont be suprised to see these upfront mixes popping up regularly whilst there are interesting things going on with new music!! In the meantime, Grizz back early next week to get you over the "back to work" blues!

Thursday, 29 July 2010

As promised, the upfront sounds are gonna keep coming thick and fast, showcasing whats around now to purchase and whats to come! To wet your appetite for future editions we still have new tunes from Bilal, The Roots feat. John Legend, Conya Doss and most exciting...Lauryn Hill!!! (with a corker!)

In the meantime heres one of my favourites of the street Sounds mixes, with a tune Im loving from Faith Evans with some great production from the Neptunes I believe, great soulful RnB. Then we have a Neo Soul cracker from Miles Bonny, a Gap band alike tune from Case, a great tune from Zo!'s upcoming LP, and a great interpretation of J Dilla from Robert Glasper. Thats not even mentioning Phonte's appearance.....